Speak out for a safe, democratic future for Haiti

Haiti is in crisis. Millions of people are running out of food, clean water and gas. Gangs have even attacked public hospitals, police stations and government buildings.

AJWS has been working alongside our grantees in Haiti for nearly two decades to protect human rights, uncover political corruption through local media and advocate for government accountability. In Washington, D.C., AJWS staff and partners are advocating for the U.S. government to support Haitian-led solutions to this crisis. Please raise your voice with us: Sign this letter to members of Congress urging them to support a safe and democratic future for Haiti.

Dear Members of Congress,

Haiti is in the midst of multiple devastating and overlapping crises: governance, security and humanitarian. Since July 2021, when the country’s former President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his home, Haiti’s government has effectively collapsed, and Haitians are suffering immensely. Millions of people are running out of food, clean water and gas. Gangs have overtaken much of the country through violence and kidnapping for ransom. These gangs have even attacked public hospitals, police stations, and government buildings.

Adding to Haiti’s crises in recent years, the U.S. government had supported the illegitimate rule of Ariel Henry when he was installed into power in the days after Moïse’s death. With Henry now out of power, Haiti has a rare chance to get back on track to restore democracy and rebuild its institutions. Now that the Biden administration is supporting efforts to build a transitional government, it is time to do all that we can to ensure a safe and democratic future for Haiti. To that end, I am urging you and the Biden administration to:

• Support proposals from the transitional government that are based on core principles of democracy, human rights, non-violence, accountability and transparency;
• Support the reconstruction of the Haitian democratic institutions, including through funding and diplomatic support for Haitian civil society actors; and,
• Ensure any proposed security initiatives commit to a holistic vision for addressing security as part of a larger restoration of governance infrastructure. Security investments are incomplete unless they include the rebuilding of the justice system and creation of a transitional justice process; restructuring and support for the police; and stopping the flow of arms to the gangs through Haiti’s ports, borders and airstrips.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]